Le Zénith

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Le Zénith (French pronunciation: [lə zenit]) is the name given to a series of indoor arenas in France. The first arena, the "Zénith Paris" is a rejuvenation of the Pavillon de Paris. In French culture, the word "zénith" has become synonymous with "theater". A zénith is a theater that can accommodate concert tours, variety shows, plays, musicals and dance recitals. All zeniths carry a similar internal design of an indoor amphitheater that can seat at least 3,000 spectators.

A venue was planned to open in Saint-Denis, Réunion entitled Zénith du Port. The arena was proposed in 2005 by the city council. Planned to open in 2008 with a capacity of 6,000, the construction of the arena was shut down.[1] It was determined the venue would not be profitable as there was no research done to see which events the arena could house. They also felt the venue would be a hard sell to bring in international talent. Kabardock was built on the proposed site of the zenith.

Zénith Paris

Lutte Ouvrière

The Zénith Paris—La Villette is an indoor arena in the 19th arrondissement in Paris. The arena was built in 1983 at the site of the former music hall, Pavillon de Paris, by architects Phillippe Chaix and Jean-Paul Morel. The construction of the arena was initiated by Minister of Culture, Jack Lang, to maintain the rock and roll scene to Paris.

The first musician to perform at the venue was French singer-songwriter

have been recorded at the venue.

The arena has hosted the

in 2010.

It is the first incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.

Le Zénith Sud

Exterior of Zénith Sud (2013)
  • Address: 2733 Avenue Albert Einstein 34000 Montpellier, France
  • Built: 1985—1986
  • Opened: 1986
  • Capacity: 6,300
  • Website: Zénith Sud Website

Le Zénith Sud (originally known as Zénith de Montpellier) is an indoor arena in Montpellier. The venue was designed by architects Phillippe Chaix and Jean-Paul Morel, who have designed several other "Le Zénith" buildings. The building opened in 1986 and was renovated in 2001 and 2006. It was the main arena in Montpellier until the Arena Montpellier opened in 2010. Over the course of 25 years, the arena has hosted concerts by Ben Harper, Muse, -M-, Yannick Noah and Deep Purple.

It is the second incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.

Zénith Oméga de Toulon

Rear entrance of venue

The Zénith Oméga de Toulon (also known as Zénith Omega) is an indoor arena located in Toulon. The arena opened September 7, 1992. The venue also has a nightclub called Omega Live. The space is used for private events and after parties. The arena has hosted concerts by Mylène Farmer, Zazie, Depeche Mode, Jenifer, Tina Turner and David Bowie.

It is the third incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.

Zénith de Pau

Exterior of Zénith de Pau
  • Address: Boulevard du Cami-Salié 64000 Pau, France
  • Built: 1990—1992
  • Opened: December 1992
  • Capacity: 7,500
  • Website: Zénith de Pau Website

The Zénith de Pau is an indoor arena located in Pau. Located near the Hippodrome du Pont-Long, the arena's design is identical to the Palais des Sports de Pau, which is nearby the venue. The venue opened on December 12, 1992. A concert by Johnny Hallyday followed the next day. The venue host many musical events along with theatrical shows. Concerts by Garou, André Rieu, Frédéric François, Véronique Sanson and William Sheller.

It is the fourth incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.

Zénith de Nancy

  • Address: Rue du Zénith 54320 Maxéville, France
  • Built: Unknown
  • Opened: 1993
  • Capacity: 4,718 (arena) 19,657 (amphitheater)
  • Website: Zénith de Nancy Website

The Zénith de Nancy (also known as Zénith Nancy de Maxéville or Zénith du Grand Nancy) is an indoor arena located in Maxéville, northwest of Nancy. The venue consists of an indoor theatre (known as "Grande salle du Zénith") and an outdoor amphitheater. It is the largest and most frequently used zénith. The venue has hosted concerts by Rammstein, Depeche Mode, Elton John, Guns N' Roses, Tokio Hotel and Natasha St-Pier.

It is the fifth incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.

Zénith de Caen

View outdoor of Zénith de Caen
  • Address: Rue Joseph Philippon 14000 Caen, France
  • Built: Unknown
  • Opened: June 1993
  • Capacity: ~7,000
  • Website: Zénith de Caen Website

The Zénith de Caen (also known as Zénith Caen—Normandie) is an indoor arena located in Caen. The venue, designed by Jacques Millet and Claude Renouf, opened in June 1993. Leonard Cohen and Eddy Mitchell, along with stage performances of Grease and the Cuban National Ballet.

It is the sixth incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.

Zénith de Lille

Zénith de Lille from the outside.
  • Address: 1 Boulevard des Cités Unies 59777 Lille, France
  • Built: 1988—1994
  • Opened: June 1994 (Arena opened in November 1994)
  • Capacity: 7,000
  • Website: Zénith de Lille Website

The

Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy
to bring sporting events, theatrical shows and concerts from South England. The project began in 1980 however it was not completed until June 1994.

The venue, designed by Rem Koolhaas, contains three auditoriums, 28 meetings rooms, a banquet hall and the Zénith Arena. It has hosted concerts by Kylie Minogue, Aretha Franklin, Goldfrapp, Dusty Springfield, Eminem and Portishead.

It is the seventh incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.

Zénith d'Orléans

  • Address: 1 Rue du Président Robert Schuman, 45100 Orléans, France
  • Built: 1995—1996
  • Opened: September 1996
  • Capacity: 6,900
  • Website: Zénith d'Orléans Website

The Zénith d'Orléans (also known as Zénith Orléans) is an indoor arena located in Orléans. The venue opened on September 26, 1996. The first concert was by Charles Aznavour on October 3, 1996. Not only does the venue host entertainment events, it is one of the few zéniths that serves as a sporting arena. The venue is the home arena of the Orléans Loiret Basket. The arena has hosted concerts by Grégoire, Julien Clerc, Patrick Fiori, Élie Semoun and Joan Baez.

It is the eighth incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.

Zénith de Toulouse

Le Zénith de Toulouse

The Zénith de Toulouse is an indoor arena located in Toulouse. The venue was designed by André and Serge Gresy, who have also done the Palais Nikaïa, Zénith d'Auvergne and the Grande Halle d'Auvergne. The arena began construction in 1998 and opened in April 1999. The first event held at the venue was a concert organized by Jean-Pierre Mader. The concert was hosted by French actor Ticky Holgado and featured performances by Chevaliers du fil, Pauline Ester, Bernardo Sandoval, and the l’Orchestre de chambre national de Toulouse. The venue faced renovations after the explosion at the nearby AZF Factory.

Over the years, the arena has hosted concerts by The Cranberries, Muse, Depeche Mode, Kylie Minogue, Norah Jones, Green Day, The Who and Snarky Puppy.

It is the ninth incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.

Zénith de Rouen

Exterior of Zénith de Rouen
  • Address: 4 Avenue des Canadiens 76120 Le Grand-Quevilly, France
  • Built: March 3, 2000—January 12, 2001
  • Opened: February 25, 2001
  • Capacity: 8,000
  • Website: Zénith de Rouen Website

The Zénith de Rouen (also known as Zénith de l'Agglo de Rouen) is an indoor arena located in Le Grand-Quevilly, five miles southwest of Rouen. The arena was designed by Swedish architect, Bernard Tschumi in 2001. His designed was honored by the American Institute of Architects. The arena has hosted concerts by Eddy Mitchell, Michel Sardou and Frédéric François.

It is the tenth incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.

Zénith d'Auvergne

Aerial view of Zénith d'Auvergne
  • Address: Rue de Sarliève 63800 Cournon-d'Auvergne, France
  • Built: 2003
  • Opened: December 2003
  • Capacity: 9,400
  • Website: Zénith d'Auvergne Website

The Zénith d'Auvergne is indoor arena located in Cournon-d'Auvergne, nearly seven miles east of Clermont-Ferrand. It is located at the Grande Halle d'Auvergne. It was designed by André and Serge Gresy. The building completed construction in October 2003, followed by a concert featuring Johnny Hallyday in December 2003. The venue has hosted the Davis Cup in 2007 and 2010. It was also the site for the Dakar Rally in 2004.

It has hosted concerts by

Jean Michel Jarre, Pierre Perret and Yannick Noah, along with stage performances of Dora the Explorer, Lord of the Dance and Scooby-Doo and the Pirate Ghost
.

It is the eleventh incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.

Zénith de Dijon

Exterior of Zénith de Dijon
  • Address: Allée Colchide 21000 Dijon, France
  • Built: 2004—2005
  • Opened: October 2005
  • Capacity: 7,800
  • Website: Zénith de Dijon Website

The Zénith de Dijon (also known as Zénith Dijon) is an indoor arena located within the Parc de la Toison d'Or in Dijon. The venue was designed by Philippe Chaix and Jean-Paul Morel. Construction began October 2004 and was completed in August 2005. The venue opened on October 6, 2005. To celebrate its fifth anniversary, the venue hosted a celebration festival that included a performance by American rock band Santana.

Over the years, the arena has hosted concerts by Sylvie Vartan, Thomas Fersen, Franz Ferdinand, Moby and Joan Baez.

It is the twelfth incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.

Zénith de Nantes Métropole

Inerior of venue (April 2007)

The Zénith de Nantes Métropole is an indoor arena in located in Nantes (in the suburb of Saint-Herblain). The arena is located near the Atlantis le Centre. The venue was designed by Phillippe Chaix and Jean-Paul Morel, who have designed several "Le Zénith" arenas. Construction began in 2003 and completed in 2006. Alternative rock band, Placebo became the inaugural event for the venue on December 2, 2006. Since then, the arena has hosted numerous artists including Muse, Sheryl Crow, Linkin Park, Jeff Beck, Simple Plan and Sting.

It is the thirteenth incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.

Zénith de Limoges

Exterior of venue
  • Address: 16, Avenue Jean Monnet 87100, Limoges, France
  • Built: 2005—2007
  • Opened: March 2007
  • Capacity: 6,000
  • Website: Zénith de Limoges Website

The

douglas-fir surrounded in a polycarbonate shell. The venue opened on March 17, 2007, with a concert by Michel Polnareff. Since its opening, the arena has hosted events by Patrick Bruel
, Pascal Obispo and Joan Baez.

It is the fourteenth incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.

Zénith de Strasbourg

Zénith de Strasbourg illuminated at night.
  • Address: BP 84097 Eckbolsheim 1 allée du Zénith, 67034 Strasbourg Cedex 2, France
  • Built: 2006—2007
  • Opened: January 2008
  • Capacity: ~12,100
  • Website: Zénith de Strasbourg Website

The Zénith de Strasbourg (also known as Zénith Europe) is an indoor arena located in Eckbolsheim, three miles west of Strasbourg. The venue began construction in January 2006 and ended in December 2007. The venue was designed by famed Italian architect, Massimiliano Fuksas. The exterior of the building was meant to mimic the lantern of Aladdin. On opening night, the venue hosted several free concerts from local bands in Strasbourg.

The first event held at the arena was "W9VIP Live" on January 9, 2009. The event was organized by French television stations

Télévision Numérique Terrestre (digital television in France). The concert contained performances by Alizée Jacotey, Amel Bent, Emma Bunton, Christophe Maé, Jenifer Bartoli, Laure Pester, Melissa M and Les Déesses
.

The venue has hosted many artists including:

WWE Smackdown
and Festival des Artefacts.

It is the fifteenth incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.

Zénith d'Amiens

Exterior view of Zénith d'Amiens
  • Address: impasse de l'Hippodrome 80000 Amiens, France
  • Built: 2006—2008
  • Opened: September 2008
  • Capacity: 6,000
  • Website: Zénith d'Amiens Website

The Zénith d'Amiens (also known as SAS Zénith Amiens Métropole) is an indoor arena located in Amiens near the Stade de la Licorne and Hippodrome d'Amiens. The venue was designed by famed Italian architect, Massimiliano Fuksas. Construction began in May 2006 and was completed in July 2008. The arena was to be completed in November 2007 but was stalled an additional eight months due to financing. The arena conveys a smiler design to Zénith de Strasbourg, completed only seven months earlier. It opened on September 27, 2008, with a free concert by Arno Elias, Rokia Traoré and Keziah Jones.

Artists to have played the venue include Marc Anthony, Lara Fabian, Christophe Maé, Nicolas Canteloup and Pascal Obispo

It is the sixteenth incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.

Zénith de Saint-Étienne

Exterior of venue

The Zénith de Saint-Étienne (also known as Zénith de Saint-Étienne Métropole) is an indoor arena located in

Jean Michel Jarre
and Michel Sardou.

It is the seventeenth incarnation of the "Le Zénith" franchise.

See also

References

  1. ^ LG. "Le projet de Zénith au Port est enterré". Zinfos 974, l'info de l'ile de La Réunion.